Union Block development in limbo following Taunton ZBA meeting

Saturday

Jan 13, 2018 at 12:01 AMJan 13, 2018 at 6:13 PM

Charles Winokoor Taunton Gazette Staff Reporter @cwinokoor

TAUNTON – Armand Tenkarian says if the Zoning Board of Appeals denies a special permit to a non-profit agency that wants to develop 38 affordable- and market-rate apartments downtown, it will be looked back upon as a missed opportunity of major proportions.

“They’ve been talking about doing this for 30 years. Now they finally have a highly reputable firm that wants to do it and they aren’t sure? I don’t get it,” he said.

One of the items on Taunton zoning board's agenda Thursday night was a special-permit request from Neighborhood of Affordable Housing Inc., an East Boston-based (501)(C)(3) agency that develops, markets and manages affordable-rate, apartment projects.

The agency, commonly referred to as NOAH, previously said it is willing to spend as much as $15 million to develop “workforce housing” rental units in vacant space on the second and third floors within Union Block – which comprises six conjoined buildings and extends down Main Street from Weir Street to Merchants Lane.

Tenkarian and Michael Keene, who own Taunton Antiques Center at 19 Main St., which is also part of Union Block, own one of the buildings in question.

Jay Dorsey, president of Jim Dorsey and Son, owns the other two connected buildings where the apartments would be built.

The zoning board adjourned its hearing Thursday night after taking public input from a half dozen people, some of them downtown business owners.

Zoning board Chairman Dennis Ackerman said it’s unusual but not unheard of for the ZBA to not issue a ruling after a public hearing has been held.

But he said he and other members need more time to digest technical information sent to them by NOAH late Thursday afternoon.

If NOAH eventually gets its special permit it will be in a position to apply for state and federal tax credits and grants.

The city, Ackerman said, has said it will contribute $250,000 from its annual allotment of Community Development Block Grant funding from the federal Housing and Urban Development agency.

He said the current proposal calls for 24 affordable-rate and 14 market-rate units.

The stumbling block so far has been whether there’s enough room behind Union Block for the ordinance-required designated parking of one space per apartment in a central business zone, and whether it would create an untenable situation in terms of local traffic congestion.

One of those who argued that fewer than 38 units should be permitted was local attorney Joseph deMello, who owns a building and office half a block away.

“I’m pro-reasonable development, but 39 (the original number requested by NOAH) is too much,” deMello, 57, said.

He says deMello has no private parking behind his building, which includes other businesses, and for years has recommended clients and other visitors park on an unused parcel owned by the city that sits below Allan Avenue, which runs behind and parallel to Main Street.

Tenkarian, 72, says Dorsey plans on providing all of the parking spaces from the land he owns directly behind Union Block, and said a number of spaces would be marked -- so that patrons of nearby BaHa Brothers nightclub and restaurant don’t park in spots reserved for apartment dwellers.

Tenkarian also said deMello is not overly concerned about a lack of foot traffic downtown, because he doesn’t have a retail business.

Keene and Tenkarian said developing attractive affordable- and market-rate apartments downtown is in keeping with the theme of downtown revitalization that for years has been sung by various mayors, administrations and pro-business groups.

NOAH has said it has a tentative sales agreement with Tenkarian, Keene and Dorsey to buy the upper floors.

The development agency, in effect, would become the landlord and be responsible for all construction and property management.

Tenkarian, Keene and Dorsey have said that converting their empty upper-floor spaces with code-enforcement upgrades, including installation of an elevator, would be too costly for them to undertake.

Increasing housing stock for working people downtown, Tenkarian said, will encourage retail and services-related business growth -- which, in turn, will lead to new jobs and result in a safer and more inviting atmosphere.

“This has been going on for 30 years – I could write a book,” said Tenkarian, referring to housing ideas and plans previously proposed for Union Block.

One benefit of creating new apartments downtown, he said, is that it will encourage new retail and service business growth, create new jobs for a more vibrant downtown and result in a safer and more inviting atmosphere.

Tenkarian says it's obvious that Main Street, which has its fair share of vacancies, could use an economic shot in the arm.

“Take a look downtown now. What do you see? There are no pedestrians,” he said.

Tenkarian said when he began running a business downtown in 1972, the Main Street area was populated with six banks, five jewelry stores and numerous other businesses, which, as he notes, is a far cry from what is now the case.